Also called: Zoo Vet Tech
Assists zoo veterinarians with anesthesia, lab work, and treatments for exotic animals.
Monitors a sedated lion's breathing during a dental, runs blood samples from a sea turtle, and helps restrain a wallaby for vaccines.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 3 years after high school. Vet tech degree and license plus exotic animal experience.
Ways in: 2-year college, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Veterinary Technology (associate).
Growing much faster than average (about 9% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Lab analyzers automate some tests; anesthesia, restraint and treatments on exotic animals stay hands-on.
Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Vet-science CTE, Medical terminology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-2056.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.